Statement From the National Fair Housing Alliance Concerning the Violence in Charlottesville, Virginia

Statement From the National Fair Housing Alliance Concerning the Violence in Charlottesville, Virginia

The National Fair Housing Alliance strongly condemns the violence of white supremacists and their advocates. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Heather Heyer, Virginia State Police Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M. M. Bates.

What happened in Charlottesville, Virginia is a national tragedy that showcases the unfortunate trajectory that our country has taken since the fall of 2016. Over the last few months we have witnessed attacks on immigrants, attacks on the LGBTQ community, attacks on Muslims, attacks on people with disabilities and attacks on people of color. All of these instances are linked to a rise in hateful rhetoric. Divisive, racist, and discriminatory sentiments have unfortunately been allowed to thrive under the guise of politics. Thus, white supremacists have become emboldened to enact domestic terrorism.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We have recently seen these words ringing truer and louder as every facet of civil rights continues to be threatened by hate. Every citizen, immigrant, and visitor to the United States of America should feel safe and not live in fear.

The Fair Housing Act, passed seven days after the death of Martin Luther King Jr., provides the means for everyone living in the United States to have access to safe and healthy housing and neighborhoods no matter a person’s religion, race, color, ability status, or ethnicity. It is from this legacy that the National Fair Housing Alliance continues to advocate for civil rights in all forms and strongly condemns white supremacy and its supporters.

We call on government officials and leadership, no matter their party affiliation, creed, race, or ethnicity, to not just condemn white supremacists and domestic terrorists but to strongly support and enforce our nation’s civil rights laws.

Founded in 1988, the National Fair Housing Alliance is a consortium of more than 220 private, non-profit fair housing organizations, state and local civil rights agencies, and individuals from throughout the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the National Fair Housing Alliance also provides comprehensive fair housing education, advocacy and enforcement programs.